1963 San Francisco 49ers

The best game of the 1963 NFL season for the San Francisco 49ers was achieved by a career backup quarterback, former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar McHan. Against the heavily favored Chicago Bears McHan engineered an upset through passing and handing off to backs who made key runs. Yet most of '63 was a complete disappointment. Fans booed coaches for trading away star 49er QB Y.A. Tittle in 1961. More

The San Francisco 49ers of 1963 were the doormat of the National Football League's Western Division. An outstanding member of the old All American Conference, the 49ers had yet to find out how to win in the NFL. One of their main issues was at quarterback, where starter John Brodie had developed a sore arm. Another star, Bill Kilmer, wrecked his Cadillac in December 1962. Doctors believed it doubtful that Kilmer would ever walk again. San Francisco also made a coaching change early in the 1963, with Red Hickey resigning. Jack Christensen, formerly the 49ers defensive backs coach, was given the job on an interim basis. It was a difficult season for management, coaches and players.

I am a soon to be retired Duke Medical Center library researcher, who enjoys writing. I have been writing on Wikipedia for years and have begun to write ebooks. My pastimes include selling books on EBay, genealogical research, baseball (Pittsburgh Pirates), collecting antique furniture and coins, and spending time with Kingsley, my cocker spaniel.